jhjohnstone
Junior Member
As others have stated, your issue will be payload with the RAM 1500
I have owned 2 RAM 1500 Hemis with full tow package including 3.90 rear end, both 2 wheel drive, over 120000 miles towing with them. No transmission issues. I used the tow/haul feature and changed transmission fluid at half the specified mileage. Trailers towed were 7000 lb and 8000 lb (when fully loaded) Airstreams.
The RAM 2 WD uses coil springs in the rear which compress a lot when operating near max payload, which I was. I could not adjust it out with a WD hitch so I added Air bags that fit inside the rear coils. That allowed me to level the truck. Using the WD to level the truck made the hitch too stiff and beat up the trailer. So, I got the WD I needed and leveled the truck with the airbags. There is a process to follow for adjusting the WD hitch when you have air bags or self leveling suspension system.
Truck towed well, no problems with going, stopping, turning, or sway. My problem was payload. I was always at or 100 lb. over my rating. So I upgraded to a RAM 2500 Cummins. Picked up the payload capacity by 500 lb., backed off on the WD giving the trailer a smoother ride, and as another bonus, my towing fuel economy improved by about 20%.
I have owned 2 RAM 1500 Hemis with full tow package including 3.90 rear end, both 2 wheel drive, over 120000 miles towing with them. No transmission issues. I used the tow/haul feature and changed transmission fluid at half the specified mileage. Trailers towed were 7000 lb and 8000 lb (when fully loaded) Airstreams.
The RAM 2 WD uses coil springs in the rear which compress a lot when operating near max payload, which I was. I could not adjust it out with a WD hitch so I added Air bags that fit inside the rear coils. That allowed me to level the truck. Using the WD to level the truck made the hitch too stiff and beat up the trailer. So, I got the WD I needed and leveled the truck with the airbags. There is a process to follow for adjusting the WD hitch when you have air bags or self leveling suspension system.
Truck towed well, no problems with going, stopping, turning, or sway. My problem was payload. I was always at or 100 lb. over my rating. So I upgraded to a RAM 2500 Cummins. Picked up the payload capacity by 500 lb., backed off on the WD giving the trailer a smoother ride, and as another bonus, my towing fuel economy improved by about 20%.
